TREK - Ladakh, India, 9D8N | #LongForAltitude | 2019 Date

Ladakh, or "Little Tibet" as it is known is one of the most remote areas of India, lying to the north of the Himalayas on the Tibetan Plateau to the south of the Karakorams. It remained isolated for centuries to the outside world due to its inaccessibility ,and the strategic position it occupies in the northern frontier. Ladakh has a rich cultural and religious heritage as can be seen from the centuries old monasteries, some of them built on sheer cliffs and still functioning actively. Ladakh offers its visitors has some rare sights like the 130km long expansive magical Pangong lake , lying at 4267m and partly in China. The spectacular view of the Changchenmo range of mountains reflects itself in the ever changing blues and greens of the lake

Arrive Leh (flights between 0515am and 0630am with 1 flight at 0840am). Transfer to hotel and rest for acclimatization.

LEH - LEHCHEN PALKHAR - CHUBI - INDUS VALLEY

EASY

HOTEL

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

An easy day for further acclimatisation. We walk from our hotel to the town center and walk gradually through the Old Town of Leh to Lehchen Palkhar, the ancient palace of Leh which was built in 1600 by the then King Singge Namgyal. Above the castle is the "Red Chapel" which houses a statue of Maitreya( the future) Buddha as well as a three stroreyed statues of Avalokitesvara and Manjushri on either side. Above this Chapel is the "NamgyalTsemo", Tower of Victory which was built during the reign of King Tashi Namgyal. We then walk down to the village of Chubi to visit the Women's Alliance center and return to town for lunch. In the evening we drive to Shanti Stupa, a Japanese Peace Pagoda to see the sun set on the Indus Valley. Evening drive a short distance to Shanti Stupa for sunset views on the Indus valley.

STAKNA / THIKSEY / NYERMA

EASY

HOTEL

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

Sightseeing of Stakna / Thiksey /Nyerma: Drive for about 35 minutes to Stakna monastery. Located on the left bank of the Indus river, the monastery sits on top of a rock shaped like a tiger leaping up towards the sky with the monastery perched on the nose and hence the name Stakna or "Tiger's Nose". Founded in the 16th century by a learned sage from Bhutan, the successive reincarnates act as the head lama. The oldest section of the monastery is the Gonkhang and is believed to be part of the original structure. The Dukhang located across the courtyard houses a fine turquoise studded silver chorten as well as images of the past lamas. A marble statue of Avalokitesvara brought from Assam is one of the most important here. There is also a small museum with an interesting collection of arms and armoury.

We then continue to architecturally dominating Thiksey monastery which resembles the Potala palace in Tibet and covers a hillside. The huge 3-storied Maitreya Buddha is housed in one of the temples. The library with its old scriptures is also visited and the rooftop of the monastery offers one of the most beautiful views of the Indus valley and the Stok range of mountains. After visiting the monastery, one can visit the "Amchi" ( Tibetan medicine man) who sits in the monastery complex with his array of Tibetan herbal medicines. We have lunch at the monastery restaurant inThiksey and then go on to visit the nunnery in Nyerma and have lunch at their guest house.

SHANG VILLAGE CAMP - KONGMARULA - CHUSKYURMO

MODERATE

CLIMB 4150M

CAMP

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

After breakfast, drive to Shang village and then begin trekking up a narrow valley towards Kongmarula and camp at Chuskyurmo – 5 hrs.(4150m)

CHUSKYURMO - TRIBUTARY VALLEY - GYUNCHO LA - SHANG PHU

CHALLENGING

CLIMB 4700M

DESCENT 4365M

CAMPING

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

From Chuskyurmo, we turn towards the west into a tributary valley which leads after a long and gradual ascent to the Gyuncho La at 4700 metres. Descending from the pass, we make camp at Shang Phu at an altitude of 4365 metres. A total of 5 to 6 hrs walking.

SHANGPHU - SHANG RIVER - SHANG VILLAGE

EASY

HOTEL

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

From Shangphu it is an easy and pleasant day's walk following the Shang river and walking through the entire length of the village past their fields. 5 hrs.